5-01-070 Search Procedures (Inmate Searches)

Effective Date: 10-07-07

Revision Date: 01-13-17

Review Date: 01-13-19

Purpose Of Order:                                                                           

The purpose of this order is to establish procedures and outline the frequency of searching inmates, inmate workers and incoming lines of inmates at Pitchess Detention Center (PDC) South Facility to control contraband, recover missing or stolen property, and to ensure internal security and safety of the facility.

Scope Of Order:

This order applies to all personnel assigned to, and working at PDC South Facility, specifically those assigned to search inmates, including, but not limited to Inmate Processing Area (IPA) personnel.

Order:

Inmates and their property are subject to search at any time. All deputies and custody assistant personnel are encouraged to conduct random searches of inmates whenever possible. Inmates should be searched on a frequent, regular basis to prevent and control the movement and possession of weapons, narcotics, stolen property and other contraband.

As per the Custody Division Manual (CDM), there are four (4) types of inmate searches:

• Pat Down/Cursory Search: A search which requires the physical “patting” of a person over their clothing.
• Strip Search: A search which requires a person to remove or re-arrange some or all of their clothing to permit a visual inspection of the underclothing, breasts, buttocks or genitalia.
• Visual Body Cavity Search: This search is the visual inspection of a person's body cavities (i.e., skin folds, rectal and vaginal cavities).
• Physical Body Cavity Search: This search is the intrusion into a person's body cavity for the purpose of discovering and/or retrieving any object concealed within the cavity.

Personnel may, at any time conduct pat down, cursory or strip searches of inmates without a supervisor present. Visual body cavity searches shall require a supervisor be present. Physical body cavity searches require a search warrant or court order and shall only be conducted in a clinical setting by medical personnel.

All incoming inmate lines, inmate workers returning to their housing areas, or any inmate who has left security and is returning, shall report to the IPA for a visual cavity search. Personnel performing the visual cavity search shall not begin the search until a supervisor has been notified and is present in the IPA.

All searches will be conducted in accordance with CDM section 5-08/010.00 and in compliance of all Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) standards.